Fluid coupling



Nov. 25, T941.

C. A. NERACHER ET AL .Original Filed June 16, 1938 FLUIDCOUPLING 2Sheets-Sheet I U AUGUST/N d. YROVX PH/LL/P i BAKER. 'j

'NOV- 25, 941- c. A. NERACHER ET AL 2,264,002

FLUID COUPLING Original Filed June 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OARL.NER/(CHER, HERBERT F.' lczflTTERO/Kl TE/v0 IAVE/ .LJI, l

Roy 77 500g ,qUGl/ST/N d. SYROVX BY PH/ LL/P BAKER.

@ai 6v""" ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 25, 1941 FLUID COUPLING Carl A.Neracher, Detroit, Herbert F. Patterson,

St. Clair Shores, and Teno Iavelli, Roy T. Buey,

' Augustin J. Syrovy, and Phillip Baker, Detroit,

` Mich., assignors to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., acorporation of Delaware Original application June 16, 1938, Serial No.214,002. Divided and this application August l 24, 1939, Serial No.291,729

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a fluid coupling and more particularly to aiuid coupling for drivingly connecting driving and driven members of amotor vehicle, and is a division of patent application, SerialNo.1214,002, filed June 16, 1938.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved uid coupling ofrelatively light weight and having the requisite strength tosuccessfully resist distortion; and toprovide a coupling which may bemanufactured at relatively low cost.

In carrying out the aboveobjects the majority of the component parts ofthe coupling preferably comprise sheet metal stampings which are soconstructed and arranged as to facilitate welding operations inproviding the assembly,

and when so assembled `constitute a relatively rigid structure forsatisfactorily resisting the action of centrifugal forces set up withinthe coupling due to the relatively high rotative speeds at which thelatter is operated.

A stillfurther object of the invention is to provide an improvedconstruction and arrangement of the circumferentially spaced membersproviding passages for a fluid medium. Each of the passage formingmembers or vanes preferably comprises a sheet metal stamping. in theinterest of lightness of weight and economy of manufacture and is sodesigned as to facilitate welding operation during assembly.

,Another object of the invention is to provide improved means forreinforcing and imparting panying drawings,'in which: 1

Eig. lisQavcentralfvertical. sectional view of a coupling embodying thisinvention.

.Fig. AZ-is a fragrnentary side elevational view -of the coupling runnerstructure shown in Fig. l, thetview beingtalren and indicated bythelline vane-forming member shown inFigs. 1 and 2.

The -fluidlcouplingis o f ,the well knownkinetic type comprisingjuxtapositioned coaxial impeller and runnerA rstructures havingyliquid'y circulating :passages thereinior. the vortex circulation ofthefluid working medium, and includes the radially spaced junctures atwhich iiuid is transferred from one of the structures to the other. Whenemployed in a motor vehicle, for instance, as a driving connectionbetween driving and driven members thereof, the coupling functions as aiiywheel structure and is provided with the conventional starter ringgear.

Referring to the drawings the reference character 5 designates a powerdriving shaft such as the crankshaft of a prime mover (not shown), towhich is secured by bolts 6 an annular mounting hub I for the impellerstructure generally 'designated at 8. The hub 1 has an annular axiallyextending sleeve portion 9 terminating in an annular radially inwardlyextending fiange I0. A bearing structure II is positioned radiallyintermediate the inner face of sleeve 9 and a hub I2 splined on a drivenshaft I3, the hub` I2 .serving to mount the runner structure, generallydesignated by the numeral I4, of the "coupling, The bearing II ismaintained against axial displacement in one direction by the flange I 0of hub 'I cooperating with a shoulder I5 on the hub I2, and againstaxial displacement in the opposite direction by a washer I6 having itsperipheral'edge portion seated in grooves formed in the adjacent .facesof sleeve I Il and hub I2. The open end of hub I2 is closed by a disk I1which prevents escapement of the fluid operating medium for the couplingaxially between hub I2 and shaft I3. I

The impeller structure 8 includes an annular dished shell element I8preferably comprising sheet metal, the radially inner free end portionof which conforms generally to the contour of the mounting face I 9 ofthe radially extending thelafxis ofthefrot'ation of thev coupling andare.

disposed between the elements I8 t aiidf 22,' the spaces betweenadjacent vanes providing passages fora vsuitable fluidoperatingfmel'lium, such as oil, entering at 24 andcurvingoutwardlyaround the inneijelement 22l for discharge at 2 5. y j,

The fluid voperating .medium Vdischarged at 25 passes to lthe runnerstructure I 4 which includes the annular-dished runner element; 26"preferably flange 33 abutting the flange 21 of the element 26.

A plurality of circumferentially spaced rivets 34 engage the flanges 33,21 and disk 28 for drivingly securing the runner to the driven shaft I3.

The reinforcing -member 3| is further provided with a deflected portion,in the form of a rib 35 extending diagonally between the portions 32 and33 for strengthening and rigidifying the runner structure. r

'I'he runner structure further includes the inner annular dished element36 preferably comprising y sheet metal, and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced vane members, as shown at 23', extendingbetween the elements 26 and 36 to provide the passages corresponding tothe passages similarly formed in the impeller structure for receivingthe fluid Working medium discharged at 25 from the latter structure, thefluid medium circulating around inner runner element 36 for discharge at31 to the impeller structure. During rotation of the shaft 5, the uidmedium circulates around the annular vortex chamber indicated at 38 andbounded by the inner dished members 22 and 36, the chamber 38 providinga channel having open sides for receiving and discharging fluid to thefluid working chamber provided by the space occupied by the vanes 23 and23'. 'I'he outer end portion of the disc 28 extends into the fluidworking chamber and serves as a baille. An embodiment of the vanemembers 23 for th impeller structure is shown in Fig. 3, it beingunderstood that the construction thereof and manner of securing the samein assembled position are generally similar for both structures, itbeing noted that each vane for the impeller structure has an edgeportion conforming to the con-L tour of the part I8.

Each vane member 23 preferably comprises a sheet metal stamping havingan outer peripheral edge corresponding generally to the contour of theinner periphery of the runner element 26 against which it seats. Theintermediate -portion of the inner periphery of the vane 23 is cut-awayfor the inner runner element 36, each edge adjacent the cut-away portionbeing provided with aportions as indicated at 42 to facilitate bendingof the tabs 4I to the position shown. Each tab 4I is preferablyspot-welded to the runner element 26 as indicated at 43, the weldingbeing formed by the hydromatic process which does not materially affectthe strength characteristics of the metal, it being understood that thevane member 23 is of a relatively thin gauge of metal.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, the impeller 8 further includesan annularmember 44 surrounding the runner structures. The outer freeedge 45 of the member 44 extends generally axially at the extremitythereof and is slightly spaced from the adjacent extremity of the ele-vment I8. 'I'he inner free edge portion of the member 44 has an axiallyextending portion 46 Iprovided with a threaded exterior surface andterminates in an annular radially inwardly extending flange 41 spacedfrom the shaft I3.` A ring 48 is press-fitted on a reduced portion ofhub I2 for rotation therewith and a second ring 48 is seated in aguideway in the` outer peripheral surface of the hub I2 for rotationrelative there-- to with the impeller structure of the coupling.- Asealing unit indicated at 50 is provided for the opening in the member44 accommodating shaft I3, this unit including a Sylphon bellows portion5I having one extremity thereof overlapping and suitably secured as bywelding to a laterally extending portion of the ring 49. The otherextremity of the bellows 5I overlaps the outer face of flange 41 of themember 44 and is held thereagainst by a ring 52 in threaded engagementwith the exteriorthreaded surface of flange. 46. A

54 is positioned interiorly of the -coupling in overlapping relationshipwithv the extremities of the parts I8 and 44, and is provided with* aradially extending ange 56 disclosed between th'adjacent extremities ofthe latter parts, it being.

noted that the radial dimension of the flange is less than the thicknessof these parts. The space between the parts I8 and 44 unoccupied by theflange 66 is filled with a suitable welding operation and also acts as astiffener for the to provide a substantially semi-circular seat 38- llatter portion. In assembly the free edges of the couplingr structure.thereby permitting the use of a lighter gauge material withoutsacrificing strength and rigidi .A

In couplings of e type herein illustrated, it

' is desirable to red ce the duid content during inner runner element'38are sprung to engage the undersurface of a respectiveitab 40 forretaining the member 36 in position.v

I'he outer peripheral edge of the vane member shown in Fig. 3. In thestamping operation the l outer, edge of the metal is provided withrelief dicated,at68 in Fig. 2 to provide a semi-circular seat for theduct. The latter is suitably secured to the deected portion 58 as byspot-welding. An annular baie member 59 preferably comprising sheetmetal is secured as by Welding to the outer peripheral surface of therunner element 26 and has its free inner edge terminating adjacent theflanged portion 46 of the impeller member 44. The bafile 59 serves todirect uid to the ducts 51 for transmission thereby to the^ interior ofthe coupling.

A second expansion chamber indicated at 60 is provided by the mountingsleeve 9 in conjunction with the end face of the driving shaft 5.Communication between chamber 60 and the interior of the couplingisprovided by a port or ports 6| formed in the sleeve 9. The port "6icommunicates with the pocket provided by spacing the mounting portion I9of the hub 1 axially from the mid-plane of the coupling and radiallyoutwardly beyond the sleeves. 'Ihe disk 28 projects radially outwardlybeyond the aforesaid pocket to form a baille for disrupting iluidcirculation between the impeller and runner structures when the couplingis operating at a relatively low speed, this baiiling of the uidfacilitating the desired high slip. The effect of the baiille on thefluid circulation becomes less pronounced as the coupling is operated atAincreased speeds and the velocity of uid circulation falls with anaccompanying decrease in slip.

Suitable balancing means is provided for the coupling, preferably inconnection with the runner structure, and includes a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced conduits B6 extending generally radially withrespect to the axis of rotation of the coupling, each conduit. having lathreaded interior surface for receiving a threaded plug 61. Access tothe plugs for installation andadjustment is had through a filler openingin the portion 44, each opening being closed by suitable closure 68threaded toa thimble orfer'- rule 69,Each conduit 66 is secured to anadjac'ent vane 23', the latter having la portion 'thereof providing asuitable seat, as in the manner setV forth in connection with theconduits 51. The

conduits 66 are secured to their respective seatsV Amodications will beapparent from the teachings of our invention and-scope thereof as `denedin the appended claims.;l

We claim: j, i 1. In a iiuid coupling of the .kinetic type includingimpeller and runner structures cooperating to provide a fluid workingchamber, said runner structure including a sheet metal vaned portion andan attaching flange, a reinforcing member for said runner structurehaving a portion secured to said vane carrying portion and an attachingflange abutting and secured to said first mentioned attaching iiange, ahub structure having a radial flange, and a member secured to saidattaching flanges and said hub flange drivingly securing said runnerstructure to said hub structure, said last mentioned member having aportion thereof projecting into said chamber for regulating the.circulation of fluid therein.

2. In a fluid coupling of the kinetic type including impeller and runnerstructures cooperating .to form a `fluid working chamber including ajuncture at which fluid is transferred between said structures, saidrunner structure including a dished vannular sheet metal vane carryingsection and an integral inwardly extending attaching flange, a hubstructure for rotatably mounting said runner structure including anoutwardly extending flange terminating in radially spaced relationshipwith respect to said attaching ange,. and a member bridging the spacebetween and secured to said flanges for drivingly attaching saidrunnerstructure to said hub structure, said member having a fluid bafflingportion extending into said chamber at said juncture.

3. In a fluid coupling of the kinetic type including vaned impeller andrunner structures in' the broader cooperating to form a iluid workingchambersaid hub ange and having a portion thereof `dis- .posed in.abutting reinforcing relationship with respect to said attachingangeand secured thereto, said annular member having a fluid bafflingportion extending into said-chamber at said juncture.

CARL A. NERACHER. HERBERT F. PATTERSON. TENO IAVELLI.

ROY T. BUCY. AUGUSTIN J SYROVY. PHILLIP BAKER.

cERTiFiCATE oF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,261i,oo2. November 25, 19in.

CARL A. NERACHER, ET AL.

lt is hereby certified that error appears in' the printed specificationofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,seoond column, lines Lto Binclusive, claim l, strike out the words andcomma "a reinforcing member -for said runner structure having a portionsecured to said vane carrying portion and an attaching flange abuttingand secured te said first mentioned attaching flange," ;a'nd line 12,Same eiaim, strike out last mentioned"; and that the said Letters Patentshouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may conform tothe record of the oase in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 27th day ef January, A. D. 19m.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.k

